Fence-picket-crimping machine



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l, M. M. SHELLABERGER.

FENCE PIGKBT GRIMPING MACHINE.

No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10, 1889. e

@Xhtmeooeo 3440414 601 (No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 2- M. M. SHELLABERGER.FENCE PIOKET GRIMPING MACHINE.

No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. M. M. SHELLABERGER.

FENCE PIGKET CRIMPING MACHINE. No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

QwUm moo e0 N. PETERS Phuto-t'rihngrphar, Walhmgian. 11c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. M. M. SHELLABERGER.

FENGB PIGKBT GRIMPING MACHINE.

No. 410,611. Patented Sept. 10.

N. versus, Phmurm nr. Wiuhlngloll, u. u

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL M. SHELLABERGER, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

FENCE-PlCKET-CRIMPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,611, datedSeptember 10, 1889.

Application filed June 12, 1889. Serial No. 313,974., (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, MICHAEL M. SHELLA- BERGER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Beaver Falls, in the county of Beaver and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFence- Picket-Crimping Machines; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fence-picket machines orcrim'pers; and it has for its object to provide means whereby both sidesor legs of a hair-pin or doubled picket may be simultaneously crimped,thereby requiring less time for the passage of the picket through themachine and increasing the capacity of the latter.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide an automaticfeed, whereby the pickets are drawn positively through the machine anddischarged, when completed, without danger of becoming jammed andtwisted.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide adjusting meansfor the coacting parts, whereby a simultaneous and accurate adjustmentthereof may be attained; and, furthermore, the object of the inventionis to provide special adjusting means for the several parts, whereby theinitial independent adjustment thereof may be made.

\Vith these objects in view the invention consists in the combination,with opposing die-bearing disks, of an endless or continuous die-carrieroperating between said disks and carrying dies which mesh with those ofsaid disks.

Furthermore, the invention consists in the combination, with anintermediate die-carrier, of opposing die-bearing disks provided withadjusting devices, whereby they may be siln ultaneously adjusted eithertoward or from the said carrier.

Furthermore, the invention consists in the opposing die-bearing disksand intermediate die-carrier provided with intermeshing dies, and havingadjustable gearing whereby the carrier may be independently adj ustedeither forward or backward to cause said dies to mesh accurately.

l urthermore, the invention consists in an automatic feed-bar geared tothe die-bearing members and adapted to admit the rods for the pickets atregular intervals; and, furthermore, the invention consists in certainother novel features and combinations of devices, which are hereinafterfully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, andspecifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of a machine embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig.3 is a similar viewof the opposite side, partly in central section. Fig. fis a transversesectional view. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the divided shaftwith its adjusting devices. Fig. 6 shows the contiguous faces of the adjustingdisks. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the die-carrier.Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the box shown at 27 in Fig.3. Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly in section, of the upper adjustablebrackets and adjusting means. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the movablemiter-wheel wit-l1 its adjusting devices. Fig. 11 is a plan view of thedie-bearing disks and the die-carrier detached from the machine. Fig. 12is a detail perspectivelview of the die-bearing disks and die-carrier,with the wire partially bent thereon; and Fig. 13 is a detail view of acompleted picket.

The main driving-shaft A is mounted in suitable bearings a a, andcarries a bandpulley A, which is driven by a suitable counter-shaftoverhead. (Not-shown.) The driving-shaft also carries a pinion B, whichmeshes with a gear-wheel Don the shaft D, the ratio between the pinionand the gear-wheel being preferably as one to five. The shaft D alsocarries a miter-wheel E, which meshes with a similar wheel E on theshaft F, which is arranged at right angles to the main drivingshaft. Thesaid shaft F is divided at an intermediate point, thereby forming theindependent sections F F, which are provided, respectively, at theircontiguous ends with the adjusting-disks f f, whose opposing faces areseparated by an interposed washer or packing e, of leather, rubber, orother suitable compressible material, which is capable of forming afriction contact between the disks. The disks are provided,respectively, with a series of concentric slots f 2 and perforations fwhich register with each other and are engaged by the adj usting-bolts fEither section of the shaft F may be rotated independently of the otherafter loosening the adjusting-bolts, and they are clamped in the desiredposition by tightening said bolts. The slotted disk f is also providedwith an annular cheek f which fits snugly in a corresponding annularrecess f in the face of the disk f to steady the disks, and the sectionF of the shaft projects a short distance into the hub of the disk f toassist in strengthenl ing the parts and rendering the shaft firm. Whenthe adj usting-bolts are tightened, the friction caused by theinterposed washer or packing, above referred to, prevents the disks fromturning independently of each other. The shaft F is geared through themiterwheels jj to a horizontal shaft J, parallel with the driving-shaft,and the shaft J is in turn geared through the miter-wheels G G to thevertical shafts g g, which carry the opposing die-bearing disks H H.

20 20 designate the upper parallel guiderods, arranged above thedie-bearing disks,

and 21 21 designate lower parallel guide-rods,

arranged below the die-bearing disks and parallel with the upperguide-rods, and the said vertical shafts g g are mounted in bearings inthe upper adjustable brackets U U and the lower adjustable brackets P P,which are carried, respectively, by the upper and lower guide-rods, saidbrackets being provided, respectively, with eyes it u and p p to fit onthe guide-rods. The centers of the upper guide-rods are connected by astationary crosshead T, which is provided with set-screws t t to secureit firmly to the rods, and in the center of the cross-head is mounted aright-and-left screw-bolt T, which engages the brackets U U at itsopposite ends, whereby when said bolt is turned the brackets are movedeither toward or from each other simultaneously. The brackets U areprovided at their centers with recesses u u, in which are received thenuts u" to engage the threaded ends of the bolt T, the latter being heldfrom longitudinal movement in the cross-head by the collars t 15, whichbear against opposite sides thereof, and said nuts are provided withperipheral perforations or sockets u to receive a suitable pin or rod(not shown) to enable them to be turned. These nuts are adapted to beturned to properly adjust the brackets when the machine is constructed,so as to arrange the die-bearing disks in the proper relative positions,after which a small threaded pin t is inserted in a small perforation inthe side of the recess 11/ and engaged in one of the peripheral socketsin each nut, which are preferably threaded for its reception. Thus thepins are prevented from jarring loose and releasing the nuts when themachine is in operation. The brackets P P are also provided withstationary nuts, which are engaged by the threaded ends of theright-andleft screw-bolt P, which is mounted at its center in a suitablestationary web P, whereby the brackets P P may also be movedsimultaneously either toward or from each other.

The adjusting-bolts T and P are provided,respectively,with rigidsprocket-pulleys 2 and 23, which carry the adjusting sprocketchain 24,the sides of which, between said sprocket-pulleys, are carried,respectively, around the power-pulley 25 and the idler-pulley 26, whichare mounted in'abox 27 in front of the vertical shafts g g. Thepower-pulley 25 is provided outside the said box with a squaredprojection R for the reception of a wrench, whereby the chain may bemoved, and the shaft of the idler-pulley is mounted in horizontal slots14 in the sides of the box. A yoke N is connected to the shaft of theidler-pulley, and its threaded shank is extended through a perforationin the end of the box and engaged by a tightening-nut N, whereby theidler-pulley may be drawn forward to tighten the chain 24. It will beseen that by turning the power-pulley the chain 24 is moved, therebyturning the sprocketpulleys 22 and 23, and consequently the adjusting-bolts to which they are fixed, in the same direction, therebyadjusting the vertical shafts g g (and the die-bearing disks) eithertoward or from each other, simultaneously. Thus after the initialadjustment of the brackets which carry the shafts ggany subsequentrequired adj ustmentof all the bearings of the vertical shafts is donesimultaneously, thereby preventing cramping in the bearings.

The miter-wheels G G, which mesh with the miter-wheels G G on thevertical shafts g g, are feathered on the shaft J, and are providedwith. grooved hubs g, which are engaged by the adjusting yokes orstirrups W W, the

threaded arms to w of which extend through perforations in the bracketsP P and are engaged by nuts w w, whereby said miterwheels G G may beadjusted toward or from the said brackets to mesh properly with themiter-wheels G G. The shaft D also carries the parallel sprocket-wheelsK K, over which and the similar idler sprocket-wheels K K travels thedie-carrier or chain Z, which is provided with lateral ears or lugs z z,to be engaged by the teeth on the sprocket-wheels. This die-carrier iscomposed of links or sections 28, which are provided, respectively, attheir opposite ends with boxes 29, to receive the cross-heads 30. Saidlinks or sections are 33 being adapted to project up between the dies onthe opposing edges of the said disks. These dies 33 may be of anypreferred form, governed by the form which the picket is to assume whencrimped, those shown in the drawings consisting of double-tapered blocks40, having rounded depressions 4:1 in their opposite sides to receivethe projecting rounded dies Set on the disks. Each die of the carrier isarranged on a separate link and extends from one end of said link toanother, each die being provided with a depending web or rib 42, whichfits in the groove 33 in the link, and is secured therein by means ofrivets, screws, or the like. (Not shown.) It will be seen that when thecarrier bends to pass around the pulleys the dies do not interfere witheach other. The head-die 43, which strikes the center of the wire tocause its initial bending and forms the head of the picket, ispreferably rounded, as shown, or arrow-head shaped.

Parallel laterally-adj ustable guides S S are arranged above thedie-carrier on the plane of the die-bearing disks and are provided intheir opposite faces with guidegrooves s s, which are designed toreceive the crimped picket and guide it to the end of the machine, whereit is discharged.

At the front end of the table X, which is arranged at one end of themachine, is a transverse bar 2, divided at its center to form a smallopen space 3, through which the dies of the die-carrier may pass, saidtransverse bar being provided with a chamfered front edge, and in rearof the latter is arranged the automatic feed-bar V, which is carried bythe sliding brackets V V and fits down in a channel 4;, adapted toreceive the wire or rod from which the picket is to be formed. Saidbrackets W V are provided with vertical guide-slots o, fitting on thescrews or pins '0, and are also provided with anti-friction rollers L,which ride on cam-disks J J on the eX- tremities of the shaft J As thesaid shaft rotates, the cam-disks thereon raise the brackets V V and thefeed-bar V to allow a rod or wire to drop into the channel 12 in thepath of the first die 43 on the die-carrier, which die engages thecenter of the rod or wire and draws the same forward between theopposite head-blocks 8 8, and thereby doubles it until its legs sweepacross the tableX and come in contact with the diverging stop-flanges YY thereon. The bar 2 is grooved to form said channel 0, and thehead-blocks 8 are secured to the front side of channeled bar on oppositesides of the space or opening 3 therein, whereby when the center of thewire or rod is drawn forward by the head-die 43 these head-blocks strikethe wire or rod on opposite sides of its center and detain the endsthereof, thereby doubling the same. These headblocks also retain thelegs of the picket in their parallel positions until they are engaged bythe disks and crimped. Receiving-arms 5 5 are affixed to the transversebar 2, on which the rods or wires are laid by the operator preparatoryto their being received in the channel o, and 7 represents an adjustablegage against which one end of said rod or wire is placed so that itscenter may come exactly opposite the interval or space 3.

The operation of my improved crimper is as follows: A rod or wire of theproper length (that is, double the length of the proposed picket) islaid on the receiving-arms 5 5 with one end in contact with the gage 7,and when the feed-bar is raised by the rotation of the cam-disks J saidrod or wire will drop into the channelo and the feed-bar will drop downthereon and hold it firmly in place. The first die on the die-carrier,which is preferably round, as shown, or arrow-head shaped, engages thecenter of the rod or wire and doubles the same, thereby causing its endsto swing out from beneath the transverse bar 2 and assume a position incontact with the stopflanges Y Y. The center of the rod or wire iscarried forward between the opposing peripheries of the die-bearingdisks, and the dies of the latter, meshing with the dies on thedie-carrier, crimp both legs of the picket simultaneously, and as thelatter passes beyond the disks its legs are received in the grooves ofthe guides S S, and it is moved along until it drops from theextremities of the guides. The advantage of these guides is that as thedie-carrier passes down over the sprocket-wheels K K it does not drawthe picket down, its dies readily disengaging therefrom. Each completerevolution of the die-carrier preferably forms three pickets, the diesbeing arranged thereon in three independent groups which are separatedby intervening open spaces, (or spaces not provided with dies,) whichopen spaces are adapted to pass beneath the feed-bar just as the latteris raised to admit a rod or wire. The die-bearing disks are adapted toform three complete revolutions while the die-carrier is making onerevolution, and its periphery is provided with an open spacecorresponding with the open spaces in the chain. It will be seen thateach group of dies on the die-carrier is of the same length as acompleted picket, as, also, is the group of dies on each disk, and itwill be understood that the group of dies on the disks must be arrangedso as to mesh exactly with the groups of dies on the die-carrier. If thecarrier, through any accident, gets slightly ahead or in rear of thedisks, so that the dies do not mesh exactly, the adjustable coupling inthe shaft F is loosened, and the sprocket-wheels K K are turned so as toreadjust the carrier. If the die-bearing disks are too close to thedie-carrier or too far therefrom, the power-pulley is operated, so as tomove the shafts g g from or toward each other and thereby adj nst thedisks.

The shaft 35, to which the idler sprocketwhecls K K are fixed, ismounted in bearings on the arms of the yoke 36, and the threaded shank37 of the latter extends IIO through a cross-head 38 at the rear end ofthe machine, and is engaged by a tightening-nut 39, whereby thedie-carrier may be tightened when it becomes loose.

The peculiar construction of the die-carrier which is shown anddescribed herein forms the subject-matter of a prior application ofsprocket-wheels or that portion which is in operation, therebypreventing sagging,which would interfere with the satisfactory operationof the machine. This portion of the 0011- struction of the carrieradapts it'peculiarly for use in a machine of this character. The

blanks or open spaces in the die-carrier are preferably about threelinks or sections in length, thereby allowing ample time for thefeed-bar to rise and admit a rod or wire and drop back to its positionbefore the head-die engages the said rod or wire.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In amachine for crimping fence-pickets, the combination of theendless carrier provided with a series of dies and the rotary disksarranged on opposite sides of the carrier and carrying a series of dieswhich mesh with those on said carrier, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the die-bearing disks, the die-carrier bearingdies arranged between said disks, the channeled bar arranged at rightangles to the carrier to receive the rod or wire for the pickets, andthe table provided with divergent stop-flanges to check the legs of thepicket, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the die-bearing disks, the interposed die-carrierbearing dies, and the parallel grooved guides to receive and guide thelegs of the completed picket, substantially as specified.

4.. The combination, with the die-bearing disks and the interposeddie-carrier bearing dies, of the transverse channeled bars and thefeed-bar fitting in said channel and geared to the die-bearing disks,substantially as specified.

5. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of thedie-bearing disks having theirshafts mounted in laterallymovablebrackets, and the right-and-left screw-bolts connecting said brackets inpairs, whereby they may be moved toward orfroln each other,substantially as specified.

6. The combination, With the die-carrier bearing dies, of thedie-bearing disks having their shafts mounted in laterally-movablebrackets which are connected in pairs by right-and-left screw-bolts, andthe adj ustingchain connecting rigid pulleys on the saidscrew-bolts,whereby when said chain is moved all the brackets areoperated simultaneously, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of the upper andlower parallel guide-rods, the sliding brackets mounted in pairs on saidguide-rods and connected by .right-and-left screw-bolts carryingsprocketpulleys, the die-bearing disks having vertical shafts mounted inbearings in the said brackets, and the sprocket chain engaging saidsprocket-pulleys and passing around intermediate pulleys 25 and 26,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of the upper andlower parallel guide-rods, the sliding brackets mounted in pairs on saidguide-rods and provided with revoluble nuts, the right-and-leftscrew-bolts connecting said brackets in pairs and provided with rigidpulleys connected by an endless chain, and the die-bearing disksprovided with shafts mounted in bearings in the said brackets,substantially as specified.

9. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of th e movablebrackets mounted on parallel guide-rods and provided with revolublenuts, the retaining or looking pins or rods fitting in peripheralperforations in the said nuts, the right-and-left screw-bolts connectingsaid brackets in pairs and connected together for simultaneousoperation, and the die-bearing disks provided with shafts mounted inbearings in the brackets, substantially as'specified.

10. The combination, with the die-carrier bearing dies, of slidingbrackets connected by right-and-left screw-bolts which are gearedtogether for simultaneous operation and the die-bearing disks havingtheir shafts mounted in bearings in the said brackets, substantially asspecified.

11. The combination, with opposing disks bearing dies, of a carrierarranged between the disks and provided with a groove or channel and thedies providedwith webs or ribs secured in said grooves or channels,substantially as specified.

12. The combination of an endless carrier provided with dies, thesprocket wheels or pulleys supporting said carrier, the rotary disksarranged on opposite sides of the carrier and provided with dies to meshwith the dies-on the carrier, and the divided shaft having separablesections which are geared, respectively, to the sprocket wheels orpulleys and the rotary disks, and having their contiguous ends providedwith perforated disks which are engaged by clamping-bolts, substantiallyas specified.

13. The combination, with a die-carrier having its dies arranged ingroups with intervening blanks, of the die-bearing disks arranged onopposite sides of said die-carrier and having blank spaces to correspondwith the blanks on the carrier, substantially as specified.

14. The combination, with a die-carrier, of ihe shaft J, geared to thesaid carrier, the die-bearing disks provided with shafts having miterWheels G, the movable miter- Wheels G, feathered on the shaft J andprovided with grooved hubs, and the yokes engaging the grooved hubs andhaving their threaded arms extended through suitable brackets andengaged by nuts, substantially as specified.

15. The combination, with a die-carrier and the opposing die-bearingdisks, of the shaft J, geared to said die-bearing disks and carryingcams J, and the feed-bar carried by sliding brackets havinganti-friction rollers bearing on the said cams, substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MICHAEL M. SHELLABERGER.

Witnesses:

J. 1 MERRIMAN, GEo. W. l\/IORRISON,

